Beverly Jensen

March 25, 2002|By HILLARY DICKERSON

In this day and age, not everyone would be willing to allow complete strangers into their home at the drop of a hat, in a time of need. For Beverly Jensen, however, that's not the case. Every once in a while, this Hayes Township woman holds the door of her home wide open to assist those who may need a warm, dry place to wait off a storm.

It was a recent act of kindness - in the midst of a bad storm - which ended with a great deal of praise for Jensen from those who benefited from her thoughtfulness. Jensen didn't seek the limelight; it was cast upon this woman for her thoughtful actions.

"We've (helped people out) quite a few times," noted Jensen with a warm smile on her face and a bright pot of spring flowers sitting on the kitchen table. "I'm not afraid to invite anyone in; I just send up a little prayer when I do. We've never been sorry we did it."

Advertisement

Profile: Originally from Boyne City, Jensen and her husband, Bill, were married in 1956. Together they raised five children, and today get a great deal of enjoyment from 10 grandchildren - nine of them grandsons.

All but two of Jensen's grandchildren call her "Granny," the younger two adapting the name to "nanny." But the new term of endearment is just fine. "I always wanted to be a nanny, so I guess that's what I am now," she laughed.

Not long after marrying, Jensen began working in the obstetrics department at Otsego Memorial Hospital as a nurse's aide. She stayed in that department - surrounded by the work she loved - for 42 years, retiring for health reasons a few years ago. Jensen noted, "If you knew me better, you'd just know I have a real soft spot for kids, especially babies."

In the house and yard, Jensen keeps other members of her extended family - three dogs and a cat. Like Jensen, her husband and children, three out of the four furry friends have names beginning with "B."

"All the kids have B names, so every animal except this cat, Patches, does, too," she explained, referring to dogs Bandit, Benji and Brutus.

Keepin' busy: In her free time - when she's not with the grandkids or busy with other activities - Jensen has all sorts of interests to keep her going. "My biggest hobby is handwork," she said, pointing to her chair in the living room surrounded by supplies for knitting and crocheting projects.

Jensen remembered when she was working at the hospital, and she started making crocheted hats for the newborns. Eventually, the hobby became a bit more a full-time job, so Jensen turned over the duties to those involved with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Yet another example of the way in which Jensen's giving spirit benefits those around her, she volunteers her time to babysit twice a month for the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group at Gaylord Evangelical Free Church, where she is a member. "Church is a big thing in my life," she said.

Besides her craft work and love of children, Jensen also enjoys watching the birds out her window, reading and working puzzles.